Socată (Romanian Elderflower Drink)
In short: Fresh elderflowers steeped in sweetened lemon water, then strained and chilled, a pale, floral Romanian drink that tastes of early summer. It takes about 15 min in total and makes 12 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Resting
- 24 h
- Total
- 15 min
- Servings
- 12
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 85 kcal
Socată is the drink of Romanian late spring, made when elder bushes along village lanes burst into white flower. The blossoms are steeped in sweetened water with lemon, giving a pale, floral and gently tart drink that tastes like early summer. Traditional socată ferments slightly and turns fizzy, while this quick version is steeped and chilled instead. Serve it over ice on a hot day.
Instructions
- Pick flowers on a dry morning, away from roads. Shake them gently to dislodge insects, but do not wash them, as the pollen carries the flavor. Trim off the thick green stems.
- Stir the sugar into 500 ml (2 cups) of lukewarm water in a large bowl or clean jar until it dissolves. Add the remaining cold water, the lemon juice and the lemon slices.
- Add the flower heads, pressing them under the surface, and cover the container with a clean cloth.
- Leave it to steep for 24 hours in the fridge, or for 12 hours in a cool, shaded spot. Do not seal the container tightly.
- Strain through a fine sieve lined with muslin, squeezing lightly. Taste and add more sugar or lemon juice if you like.
- Pour into clean bottles and chill. Serve over ice with mint and lemon. Keep in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Tips
- Use only fully open, creamy white flowers from a bush you can identify with certainty. Never use the leaves, stems or raw berries, which are toxic.
- To keep the drink longer, freeze it in bottles or ice cube trays for up to 6 months. Dried elderflowers also work: use about 15 g (1/2 oz) in place of fresh.
Questions and answers
Is socată fermented?
Traditionally it ferments lightly and turns fizzy. This quick version is steeped and chilled, so it stays still and sweet. Keep it cold and drink it within 5 days.
Where can I find elderflowers?
Elder shrubs bloom in late spring, around May and June in much of Europe. Pick away from roads and sprayed fields, or buy dried elderflowers online.
Can I make it less sweet?
Yes. Cut the sugar to 150 g (3/4 cup) and add a little more lemon juice. A thin slice of fresh ginger also works well.
How long does it take to make Socată (Romanian Elderflower Drink)?
About 15 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Socată (Romanian Elderflower Drink)?
About 85 kcal per serving, with 0 g of protein, 21 g of carbohydrates and 0 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 85 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 21 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 21 g |
| Sodium | 2 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
